Category: Watercolor Tips

I have some adorable little bluebells in my garden. There are so many delicate bells on each flower. Below are a few attempts at painting these little garden beauties…

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Bluebells 1

7×10 inch Canson mix media sketchbook

Bluebells in Bloom 1

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Bluebells 2
9×12 inch Canson watercolor paper 140#

Bluebells in Bloom 2

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Bluebells 3

9×12 inch Canson watercolor paper 140#

Bluebells in Bloom 3

I was unable to escape the “detail mode” and let go to paint a loose version. Maybe I will try that another time. Each painting is a bit different. I like the simplicity of number 1 and the bright color and detail of number 3.

Watercolor tips:

Keep painting and documenting your work so that you can see your growth over time. I am now up to painting #382. Looking back I can see that many things are improving and that makes me smile!

Cheap brushes fall apart quickly. I have a few that I need to replace because the paint is chipping off the handle and starting to flake into my rinse water. I know that I should get rid of them but it is like having an old pair of worn out jeans that you just don’t want to let go of. I will be replacing these cheaper brushes with better quality ones soon.

I have a few potted chives on my deck that are in full bloom. The fluffy purple blooms are such a sweet sight to see. Below are a few attempts last weekend at painting the chives. I used the same photo and mixed it up a bit and the result was three very different watercolor paintings. Hope you enjoy!

My 1st painting was on Canson watercolor paper.
Just chives with some detail.

Chives in Bloom 1

My 2nd painting was in my Pentalic watercolor sketchbook.
I added a background and additional colors.

Chives in Bloom 2

My 3rd painting was on Canson watercolor paper.
A loose style with a background.

Loose – Chives in Bloom

Which of the three paintings do you prefer? I would love to hear your feedback.

Watercolor tips:

Give the rigger brush a try, it is great for working on detail. The more I use this brush, the more I fall in love with it.

Try painting the same subject a few different times. Mix it up using a different color palette, trying a different background, or using different brushes. See what happens, you might just be surprised and delighted (as I was with the chives).

I enjoy painting landscapes. Pine and Birch trees are among my favorite trees to paint.

I started with a quick pencil sketch to find a composition that I liked.

Simple Landscape sketch

Then I moved on to using a black micron pen (size .03) to help me with the placement of the trees on the watercolor paper. You could also use a watercolor pencil as well for this. I have found that if I start painting without a few pen lines for tree placement first, I end up getting lost and paint over an area where I should have placed one of my trees.

This is a sample of my Pine and Birch watercolor painting.

Landscape – Pine and Birch trees

I’m happy with the pine tree and I love the bark on the birch trees. I think I may try using a sponge next time for some of the foliage on the birch trees.

Springtime is here! The birds are singing and the flowers are blooming. I bought my first Foxglove plant last weekend. My beautiful plant has lavender flowers and many little buds just waiting to bloom.

Painting tips for beginners:
– Stay positive and keep painting.
– Start with your lightest colors first and then build up to your darker colors.
– Try to keep a few unpainted spots here and there, it will add a little sparkle and interest.